Neighbors See New Kiwanis Plans Developer Trims Three Lots, Adds Some Greenbelt For Subdivision

Redesigned and updated plans for a park and subdivision on 87 forested acres here have caused neighbors to accept the inevitable.

The Coeur d’Alene Kiwanis Club met with neighbors Tuesday night to show its most recent plans for the future riverfront park and 138-home subdivision.

The project’s developer, Shorewood Inc., also was introduced to the public.

“It’s going to happen whether I like it or (my neighbors) don’t like it,” said Fred Sharp, who lives on Osprey Drive. “It’s a cut and dried deal.”

Instead of the planned 141 lots, Shorewood Inc. will develop 138 lots, said Charlie Johnson, the project manager for the club.

Last month, the City Council voted to rezone half of the club’s land from public reserve to residential. The council also amended the city’s comprehensive land-use map in order for the subdivision to be built.

Some neighbors lamented the loss of open space, saying the forested land had been used as a park for decades.

Half of the rezoned land will be developed into a waterfront park, leased by the city for $1 a year for the next 50 years.

The club says that by selling half of its land, the group can continue to support projects such as Toys for Tots, the Junior Miss Program and Boy Scouts of America. The subdivision will pay for the park’s development, and the remaining money will be put into an endowment.

The developer also responded to recent concerns about the fate of the undeveloped land Tuesday night.

A proposed entry to the development on Cedar Road has changed into an emergency-only entrance and a walkway, Johnson said.

“Everyone was concerned because this road could have brought in traffic and congestion,” Johnson said.

A greenbelt, or buffer zone, was requested by many residents at last month’s council meeting. But in the development’s new design, only the north side has a greenbelt, surrounding 10 homes.

That area was redesigned because the city asked the club to do so, Johnson said. The area will serve as an access point for sewer lines. Because the lines will serve new and existing homes in the area, the city wanted the ability to get to the lines easily.

Other buffer zones won’t be created, Johnson said, because they would require regular maintenance, lighting and police patrols.

That angered Patty Martin, who lives nearby.

She said she discussed the buffer zone with Johnson, and was told she might get a 100-foot barrier between her property and the new houses.

“I was disappointed and once again kind of feeling betrayed because (the club) wants our input - but it all seems like it’s a facade,” Martin said.

“The truth is we have nothing to say about (the land’s) development,” Martin said.

“We’re just going to have to suck it in and accept it.”

But Martin said she is pleased that the development behind her will at least be aligned to the existing homes - that way she can’t have more than one house in her back yard.

And in the meantime, Martin said, she’ll enjoy the undeveloped forest behind her as long as she’s allowed.